Fact or Fiction? The Basic Truths about the Montana Common Core Standards (MCCS) and the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC)

Learning Goals Communicate information about the MCCS and SBAC. Clarify commonly asked questions about the MCCS and SBAC. Give you enough information to be “dangerous.”

Brief History Lesson Before CCS Current Reality Standards-Benchmarks-(ELEs) *written at the state level on weekends by teachers from across the state Domains/Strands-Clusters/Topics-Standards *includes Mathematical Practices *reviewed locally, added Indian Ed. (IEFA) *adopted Nov. 2011 MontCAS (state assessment) *delivered in March (Reading, Math, Science) *3rd-8th, 10th SBAC (state assessment) *delivered between March and May (ELA, Math), Science separate (3-8, 10) *3rd-8th, 11th Local materials selection *needing modification, often only aligned to TX, NY, and CA *local control *more available that is aligned Locally chosen professional development Locally chosen professional development

Some Acronyms MCCS (Montana Common Core Standards) CCS (Common Core Standards) IEFA (Indian Education for All) SBAC (Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium) ELA (English Language Arts) MP (Math Practices) CAT (Computer Adaptive Test)

Standards v. Curriculum Standards are the targets (what students should know and be able to do). Curriculum is the materials, resources, textbooks, instructional strategies, etc. that help students meet the defined targets (the standards).

Fact v. Fiction FACT Montana was the 46th state to adopt the CCS. (we watched, waited, and went forward) Montana added in information about Montana’s American Indians (known as IEFA). (as per our constitutional obligation)

Fact v. Fiction All of the materials needed to teach the CCS need to be purchased new. FICTION (there have been some new materials purchased as part of the materials cycle, but many materials are fine “as is” to deliver the CCS).

Fact v. Fiction All students will be doing is taking assessments. FICTION (the testing window opens in March and is open until May, however; they will only be testing for a few days of that window, the CCS are only formally tested once a year (grades 3rd-8th and 11th)—other assessments will continue as previously delivered as per usual based on grade, site, and student needs).

Fact v. Fiction The government is telling us which books to read. FICTION (books are chosen at a district level because of local control) Students no longer have to know their basic math facts from memory. (in grade 2 students are expected to know their addition/subtraction facts from memory and in grade 3 their facts for multiplication/division are expected from memory)

Fact v. Fiction Teachers have lost their creative license to teach and are teaching from a script. FICTION (teachers still make instructional choices) The curriculum has been dumbed down. (the standards are the minimum grade level expectations, students are still challenged!)

Fact v. Fiction The test will be asking personal questions about our families’ beliefs. FICTION (the test is asking standards based questions aligned to academic content only) My child’s data will be shared with a lot of people. (student privacy is VERY important and any inappropriate sharing can be cause of loss of licensure)

Fact v. Fiction Parents can’t see the test their students will be taking. FACT and FICTION (Parents cannot see the entire test, that would invalidate the test. Teachers can’t even see the entire test. However, there are practice tests to give the essence of the test and as each test is administered, there’ll be released items.) Here’s the SBAC website: http://www.smarterbalanced.org/practice-test/

Fact v. Fiction My child is being asked to write opinion/argumentative writing and being told what opinion to have. FICTION (students are being taught HOW to form an opinion/argument not WHAT to believe—whatever they choose as their claim, they’re being asked to back it up with sources and evidence)

Fact v. Fiction The CCS don’t care about right answers or the traditional way to solve problems in Mathematics. FICTION (attend to precision is one of the mathematical practices and correct answers are very much still important—the traditional or standard algorithm is still taught, but AFTER understanding is developed and other strategies are provided along they way)—there are many paths.

Fact v. Fiction Students will only be reading informational text. The classics won’t be taught anymore. FICTION (there is recommended percentages…however; up at the high school the 70/30 is referring to the student’s day, not just the English class…classics are still taught!)

What the MCCS Looks Like in Action Around the Co-op : Students writing letters to real authors after studying a type of literature. Students conducting a gummy worm experiments to learn about the scientific method. Students dressing up as historical figures after a study of biographies. Students writing an essay about their opinion about a current events topic such as their opinion on lake trout. Students comparing two artists work after completing their own piece of artwork. Students making a movie trailer to teach another student various strategies that could be used to multiply. Etc., etc., etc., etc.

Four Things to Do As Board Members… Read the Montana Common Core Standards for both Math and ELA. http://www.corestandards.org/ Stop by your school sites and see teaching and learning in action. Attend school site parent content nights. 4. When something comes up you’re not clear about ask an educator. Don’t be afraid to ask, “is this fact or fiction.” You can ALWAYS contact me, too. director@nwmtcoop.org

QUESTIONS????? COMMENTS….. CONCERNS!!!!!!